[July 17, 2014]Cicada Killer Wasps Returning -
The cicada killer wasps have returned! They are actually considered
beneficial insects because they control cicadas. This wasp gets its
common name due to the fact that it hunts and supplies its nest
chambers with a cicada, which becomes a food source for the young
cicada killer. Other food sources could include katydids and
grasshoppers. We are getting cicada killers now because of the
beginning emergence of the dogday cicada. Cicada killers are a
nuisance pest, especially when nesting in large numbers in a play
area or near the house. People get concerned because the cicada
killers resemble giant yellowjackets.

Cicada killers are about 2 inches long and black to red, with
yellow banded markings on the abdomen. The head and transparent
wings are reddish brown. They are not dangerous, but they are
intimidating. Cicada killers are solitary wasps, with the female
digging a 6- to 10-inch burrow (1/2 inch in diameter) in the
ground. A pile of soil typically surrounds the entrance. The
female locates and stings a large insect such as a cicada or
katydid and then brings it back to the burrow. She places the
insect into a chamber and lays an egg on it; sometimes she puts
two in a burrow but lays an egg on only one. She then covers the
burrow, digs another, and repeats the process. The egg hatches
into a grublike, legless larva that consumes the paralyzed
insect. Full-grown larvae overwinter in the burrow, pupate in
the spring, and emerge as an adult during the summer, usually in
July and August.

Male cicada killers establish aerial territories and patrol for
intruders. A male cicada killer drives off other males that
enter his territory and attempts to mate with females. Anyone
else walking into the territory is typically confronted by a
very large wasp, which hovers in front of the face and zips to
the side and back. However, after determining that the
"intruder" is not a rival, the wasp ignores the individual.

Cicada killers are unlikely to sting a person. Wasp and bee
stingers are modified egg-laying devices (ovipositors), so males
are not able to sting. Females may sting if crushed, either by
being stepped on with bare feet or grabbed with bare hands.

Cicada killers are more common in areas with bare soil, so
mulching, planting ground covers, or putting down sod can reduce
problems. Applying permethrin or Sevin (some suggest the Sevin
dust gives better control) to the burrowed area should kill
females in high traffic areas. Once females are gone, males
leave. In home yards, sandboxes can be covered with a tarp when
not in use, as this deters the wasps (and also keep cats out).
Sand below swings, jungle gyms, or other playground equipment is
a popular site for the cicada killer. Raking the sand may
discourage the wasps, or you could use mulch instead of the
sand.

Grub applications for annual white grubs should be applied about
fair time through early September. Why wait when there are grubs
out there now? Simply to give all the eggs a chance to hatch,
without having grubs get overly large. The Japanese beetles are
still laying eggs, while the June bug grubs are mostly hatched
out. In areas with few Japanese beetles, applications could be
made at any time. Areas with the Japanese beetle should probably
wait until late August or early September to allow application
closer to the time of egg hatch. Based on numbers of beetles,
grub numbers should be relatively low in most places. However,
there are always hot spots, and these are traditionally along
walks, driveway edges, and patios.